QR codes or Quick Response codes is a type of a two dimensional barcode which can be read by a digital device. It can store encoded data, usually the data is a link to a website. Though they look simple they can store more data and can access the data as soon as you scan the code. In 1994 a Japanese Automative company Denso Wave invented this matrix code. QR code stores information as a series of pixels in a square-shaped grid. QR codes mostly used to check information about the products and in marketing and advertising campaigns.
QR Codes are cost-effective, user friendly, easily applicable and help you reach your target audience in the offline world and connect them directly to your digital platforms. QR codes store data using patterns of black dots and white spaces arranged in a square grid. These patterns can be scanned and translated into human-readable information, with the help of an imaging device, like a camera or a scanner.
You get an immediate access to the content stored in a QR code such as product description or details, or mostly a url or link which access you to the website as soon as you scan a QR Code using your smartphone. The QR Code reader will now start the work process, like opening your web browser to a specific URL, or like storing a business card in your smartphone’s contact list or connecting to a wireless network.
Before creating a QR code check for the information and content you want to store , once you finalize you can easily generate a QR code from free QR code generators.
A QR code is basically a pattern representing binary codes that can be interpreted to reveal the information from the code. A QR reader can identify a standard QR code based on the three large squares outside the QR code. Once it has identified these three shapes, it is aware that everything contained inside the square is a QR code.
The QR reader analyzes the QR code by breaking the whole thing down to a grid. It looks at the individual grid squares and assigns each one a value. It then groups grid squares to create larger patterns.
QR Codes can be seen on flyers, posters, magazines, business cards and so on today for many products. They are especially used in marketing campaigns to:
1. Reduce the time to type and navigate to a business page.
2. QR codes can directly dial your business numbers. So in a marketing campaign if anyone is interested to get your business contact number, can directly scan the QR code.
3. A QR code also enables you to send messeges regarding your product and its details once your code is scanned through SMS.
4. It is used to track your business location.
5. Directly allows the customer to follow social media pages of your company and product updates in social media network.
6. The interesting way to increase your business is to give discounts and offers for scanning QR codes. This increases the sale.
QR codes are also used in bus stops, railway stations, at video kiosks, packaged foods at groceries, making payments, e-learning and building permits and many other places.
But there are disadvantages too in using a QR code. As humans cannot read QR code it is possible for the attackers to embed a malicious URL into a QR code that directs to a phishing site, where unsuspecting users could disclose personal or financial details. So it is always safe to check the QR code is from a trusted source before using it.
QR codes are an easy-to-generate and cheapest way to combine more information about your business, products, and services into a tiny space. Place it in a right place at your business places. Make sure whether it is a WiFi accessible zone if you are placing it in a physical store. Use QR codes as business developmental tool and increase the sale and market your product through a inexpensive advertisement.
